Texans QB Tom Savage’s agent sounds off on benching

Texans quarterback Tom Savage's agent took to the media Wednesday to defend his client after the signal caller's abrupt benching in the team's season opener.

Veteran agent Neil Schwartz expressed dismay over his client being pulled by Texans coach Bill O'Brien after halftime of Sunday's 29-7 loss to Jacksonville at NRG Stadium. "I'm still trying to figure this out ... 31 plays and you're getting benched?" Schwartz said in an interview with NBC Sports' Mike Florio. "It makes no sense."

The Houston Texans are going with rookie Deshaun Watson at quarterback in Week 2, according to reports. Media: SITime When asked by Florio who ultimately made the call to start Watson - which the Texans are expected to do - for Thursday's game at Cincinnati, Schwartz said "I don't know - I'd love to find out." He added that he had not tried to talk to Texans general manager Rick Smith after Savage's benching. Schwartz said he even consulted other industry personnel about the move. Savage was 7-for-13 for 62 yards with a 66.8 passer rating. He was sacked six times and lost two fumbles, one of which was returned for a touchdown.

"I watched all 31 plays, because that was the extent of what Tom saw in the first half," Schwartz said. "And I can't figure out why he's benching Tom. I went through every single play and I even went one step further. I asked two different NFL personnel people (or) coaches on two separate teams to evaluate and break down the film to see if I was missing something. He went 7 for 13 ... 12 of the 13 balls touched the receiver's hands. The only ball that didn't was the strip-sack fumble that they called incomplete (upon replay). Seven were completions, five were drops. "If you watch the film and you say 'I see something wrong that deserves to be benched,' I wouldn't be on the phone with you now. The second issue which I heard is he held the ball too long. He didn't hold the ball too long. Every play except for the one that was third and 12 (and) he got sacked was (released in) less than three seconds." Texans Video Highlights

One sticking point for Schwartz was Savage being the starter throughout the offseason and preseason - and getting starter's reps - only to get the hook 30 minutes into the season.

"Tom earned the right to be the starter," Schwartz said. It 'wasn't given to him. And he's worked hard every day in training camp and the exhibition season to be the starter – on the field and off the field – to maintain a leadership role. After 31 plays, you bench him? I have an issue." Schwartz said several times that benching Savage was O'Brien's prerogative, but that he decided to speak out to back Savage, the career backup who started two games last season after free-agent bust Brock Osweiler was benched. "I wanted to defend Tom and this was my choice," Schwartz said. "I spoke to Tom and he was OK with it and comfortable. Someone had to defend Tom and I didn't feel the coaching staff defended Tom or defended his performance. "I don't normally do this. This is only the second time I've done this in my career and it's only to defend a client where I felt he wasn't getting defended properly by the team or the media. "Tom's obviously taken the high road and I would only expect Tom to take the high road. He's going to support Deshaun and he's going to support the team. He wants to beat Cincinnati and be a part of the Houston organization. He loves it down there. It's just frustrating." Upon replacing Savage, Watson was 12-of-23 for 102 yards with a touchdown and interception and finished with a 60.4 passer rating. He also lost a fumble. Watson will become the ninth different starting quarterback in O'Brien's four seasons as Texans coach. In the 2015 season opener, he benched Brian Hoyer after three quarters for Ryan Mallett. Hoyer returned to the starting role in week 6. Florio asked Schwartz if he expected a reprise of that QB carousel. "Getting benched after 31 plays is incredulous to me, so at this point in time, nothing will surprise me," Schwartz said. "I don't have a response because I'm shocked (Savage) got benched after 31 plays."

Contact Info

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Neil S. Schwartz

Email: neilsschwartz@gmail.com

Jonathan Feinsod

Email: jonathan@sffootball.net

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